Objective To explore the best preoperative fasting time in laparoscopic surgical patients who have gallbladder and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and to alleviate patients′ thirst and hunger. Methods A total of 163 patients with gallbladder and gastroesophageal reflux disease needing laparoscopic surgery were randomized into four groups: group A （n=40）, group B （n=41）, group C （n=43） and group D （n=39）, receiving preoperative fasting for 3 h, 4 h, 5 h and 6 h respectively. Results None of the participants had reflux aspiration during the surgery. Scores for thirst and hunger before and after the surgery, group A were significantly lower than group C and D, and group B were significantly lower than group D （P＜0.05 for all）.The first passage of flatus and defecation in group A and group B were significantly shorter compared with group C and group D （P＜0.05 for all）.The out-of-bed time in group A was significantly earlier than that in group D （P＜0.05）.There were no significant differences in ultrasound-assessed cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum and gastric volume among the four groups （P＞0.05 for both）. Conclusion Preoperative fasting for 3-4 h is safe for laparoscopic surgical patients with gallbladder and gastroesophageal reflux disease, which would alleviate thirst and hunger of patients, and improve postoperative indicators.